X5 / BMW model changes for 2009/2010

[caveatesq]

Originally Posted by LeMansX5

Was the coupe with sun roof?

I think that the convertible may have more headroom that the coupe so you may want to give it a try.

[LeMansX5]

Originally Posted by JGQ

Yes!

Sun roof eats up few inches. We have another member here who is tall as you and always orders his BMWs without sunroof.

[JGQ]

I'll try one without the sunroof. To be honest, I didn't know that you get them without one!

By the way, I hope those who are against the X6/FX and SAC's in general start understanding why they have a strong following. Some of us view them as sport cars we could fit in

[caveatesq]

Originally Posted by JGQ

I'll try one without the sunroof. To be honest, I didn't know that you get them without one!

You can't in the U.S. The only option that you have for a 3 series coupe in the U.S. without a sunroof in the e92 M3.

[juicer]

Originally Posted by JGQ

I am 6'6" 225 lbs. I sat in the 335 coupe (which I think is the best looking BMW) and I could not under any adjustment get my head straight.

get a convertible, whi off the roof and hope it never rains
6'6 - damn I'm 6'4 and things get tight for me

I ended up having to get the M3 cabriolet as the coupes roof was too low, the cab actually has a higher pitch on it

[LeMansX5]

Originally Posted by caveatesq

You can't in the U.S. The only option that you have for a 3 series coupe in the U.S. without a sunroof in the e92 M3.

Special order.

[caveatesq]

Originally Posted by LeMansX5

Special order.

I've heard that BMW North America won't allow it. The sunroof is standard equipment on all U.S. bound e92s (other than the M3). Folks have tried to special order without a sunroof but I don't believe they have been successful.

[X5_Newbie]

Originally Posted by LeMansX5

X5: Like the 3-series, the X5 gets the 265-hp, 3.0-liter turbo-diesel engine, which is legal in all 50 states. The diesel X5 will be badged the X5 35d. ...

You're sure about the 265-hp? Doubt that, cause in Europe the X35d (called 3.0sd back here) got 286-hp and a torque of about 580nm. Would be strange if they gonna reduce power for the N.A. market...

Concerning Diesel prices I might give you an idea of where the journey goes to: filled up today and diesel is € 1,45 per litre, that makes it US-$ 2,28 per litre or US-$ 8,63 per gallon...

Within 6 months, prices of Diesel and Premium became equal, whereas before it was about 25% difference in favor for Diesel engines...

[Penguin]

> Would be strange if they gonna reduce power for the N.A. market...''

Not that unusal when you factor in the U.S. emissions. Quite often the U.S. versions of engine have lower rated HP. I don't know if it is still the case, but in years past I've noticed similar differences in U.S. vs. European engines.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by X5_Newbie

You're sure about the 265-hp? Doubt that, cause in Europe the X35d (called 3.0sd back here) got 286-hp and a torque of about 580nm. Would be strange if they gonna reduce power for the N.A. market...

Agree with Penguin. There are also two separate factors at work here. The first is the different measurement system for hp. The 3.0 tt six is rated 306 hp in the UK, and 300 hp in North America. It has the same power, just a different rating method.

The 286 hp diesel would therefore end up being about 280 hp in North America, if it was emissions-legal. It isn't. The new urea-injected diesel has been announced at 265 hp due to new engine mapping to meet stricter NA emissions laws. The torque doesn't seem to suffer as much as the hp does.

The worst part will be that this will effectively be a new engine (from a software standpoint, more than from an iron standpoint) so first year production stands to have the usual BMW introductory bugs when the diesels are introduced here. Add to that that no NA BMW dealership likely has technicians trained in diesel engine repairs, and it should be interesting.